Tea is one of the most cherished beverages on Earth, a drink that transcends cultures, borders, and generations. From ceremonial green teas to sweet milk teas and aromatic herbal blends, tea has become an everyday ritual that brings comfort, warmth, and connection. It is one of the rare drinks that can warm both the hands and the soul.
Across the world, nations have developed unique traditions around tea, shaped by climate, history, and culture. Some countries have consumed tea for thousands of years, while others adopted the habit through trade, colonisation, or migration.
Below is a comprehensive ranking of the top tea-drinking countries.
1. Turkey
The world champion of tea drinking, Turkey, consumes an astonishing 6.96 lb (3.16 kg) per person annually, usually served in tulip-shaped glasses.
2. Ireland
Strong black tea with milk makes Ireland one of the heaviest tea consumers at 5.21 lb (2.36 kg) yearly.
3. Azerbaijan
Tea served in pear-shaped armudu glasses pushes consumption to 4.63 lb (2.1 kg) per capita.
4. United Kingdom
The home of afternoon tea drinks 4.01 lb (1.82 kg) of tea annually per person.
5. Iran
Strong black tea without milk is standard. Iranians consume 3.3 lb (1.5 kg) each year.
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6. Pakistan
Chai, especially doodh pati, is a national passion. Pakistan drinks 3.3 lb (1.5 kg) of tea per capita.
7. Russia
With samovars and strong zavarka, Russia consumes 3.05 lb (1.38 kg) annually.
8. Morocco
Famous for its sweet Maghrebi mint tea, Morocco drinks 2.68 lb (1.22 kg) per person per year.
9. New Zealand
Kiwis enjoy several cups of “a cuppa” daily, consuming 2.63 lb (1.19 kg) annually.
10. Chile
Tea is a key part of the evening ritual la once, contributing to 2.62 lb (1.19 kg) per capita.
11. Egypt
Strong, sweet black tea (shai) dominates, bringing Egypt’s consumption to 2.23 lb (1.01 kg) annually.
12. Poland
Poles enjoy black tea with lemon and sugar, averaging 2.2 lb (1 kg) per person.
13. Japan
Green tea, from everyday sencha to ceremonial matcha, drives Japan’s 2.13 lb (0.97 kg) annual consumption.
14. Saudi Arabia
Tea is central to hospitality, with Saudis drinking 1.98 lb (0.9 kg) each year.
15. South Africa
Rooibos “red tea” is iconic here, contributing to 1.79 lb (0.81 kg) of annual per-person consumption.
16. Netherlands
Europe’s first tea importers still drink 1.72 lb (0.78 kg) of tea annually, often mild and black.
17. Australia
With a deep-rooted tea tradition going back to colonial times, Australians consume 1.65 lb (0.75 kg) per capita.
18. United Arab Emirates
Karak chai, influenced by South Asia, dominates daily life. UAE residents drink 1.59 lb (0.72 kg) of tea per year.
19. Germany
Tea consumption averages 1.52 lb (0.69 kg) per person, with East Frisia leading the world at 300 litres per capita.
20. Ukraine
Ukrainians drink 1.28 lb (0.58 kg) annually, often pairing black tea with lemon or jam.
21. China
The ancient home of tea enjoys 1.25 lb (0.57 kg) per capita, spanning green, oolong, black, and ceremonial traditions.
22. Canada
With strong British cultural influence, Canadians drink 1.12 lb (0.51 kg) of tea per person every year.
23. Malaysia
Birthplace of the tarik, Malaysia consumes 1.06 lb (0.48 kg) per capita annually.
24. Indonesia
Tea is often sweetened heavily or served iced. Indonesians drink 1.01 lb (0.46 kg) per person yearly, with Teh Botol being especially beloved.
25. Switzerland
Despite its coffee reputation, Switzerland drinks 0.97 lb (0.44 kg) of tea per person and leads Europe in iced tea consumption.
26. Czech Republic
Czechs have embraced tea culture since the 1990s, now consuming 0.93 lb (0.42 kg) per capita across hundreds of tearooms (čajovny).
27. Singapore
Known for its multicultural tea traditions, including frothy teh tarik, Singapore consumes 0.81 lb (0.37 kg) per person annually.
28. Slovakia
Slovaks drink 0.80 lb (0.36 kg) per capita. A unique local speciality is Tatratea, a strong tea-based herbal liqueur.
29. India
Home of masala chai and one of the world’s largest tea producers, India consumes 0.72 lb (0.33 kg) per person annually despite drinking 80% of its own production.
30. Taiwan
Famous for its high-mountain oolong and the birthplace of bubble tea, Taiwan drinks around 0.65 lb (0.29 kg) of tea per person each year.
31. United States
Best known for iced tea and sweet tea in the South, Americans consume around 0.55 lb (0.25 kg) per capita.
32. Argentina
While famous for yerba mate, tea consumption still reaches 0.60 lb (0.27 kg) per person annually.
33. Thailand
Home of iconic Thai iced tea, Thailand drinks 0.75 lb (0.34 kg) of tea per capita each year.
34. South Korea
Green tea and barley tea (bori-cha) are staples, leading to 0.82 lb (0.37 kg) annual consumption.
35. Bangladesh
A nation of strong milk tea lovers, Bangladesh averages 1.1 lb (0.5 kg) of tea consumption per person annually.
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